How to grow European Yew

Taxus baccata

Yew is often used in hedges and can be trimmed into topiary. Although considered to be slow growing, an acceptable hedge can be produced in 10 years with the added advantage of being solid and shapely, needing trimming only once a year.

Growing European yew from seed

Germination is slow and often after second winter. Place seed in compost and leave open to the elements. Always label the pot, as it could easily become forgotten

Transplanting European yew

Yews are very long lived trees so choose its planting place with care. Can be grown as a tree, hedge or topiary. Each will require a different planting distance.

Ensure that temperatures are mild and all chance of frost has passed before planting out, as European yew is a hardy plant.

Harvesting European yew

Female trees produce the red aril containing the woody seed.

Seed Saving European yew

The seeds are toxic and are found inside the red aril.

How long does European yew take to grow?

These estimates for how long European yew takes to sprout, grow and harvest are from real observations from real gardeners, right around the world.

Days to Germination How long does it take European yew to germinate?
500 days

Average 500 days | Min days | Max days (0)

Days to Transplant How long until I can plant out European yew?
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Average days | Min days | Max days (0)

Days to Maturity How long until European yew is ready for harvest / bloom?
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Total Growing Days How long does it take to grow European yew?
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European yew Etymology

‘baccata’ means with fleshy berries

European yew Folklore & Trivia

Ancient long lived tree associated with churchyards, poisonous leaves and seeds.
The diterpenoid alkaloid ‘taxol’ was found in the bark of T. brevifolia a molecule active against a leukaemia cell line. Sadly this involved the destruction of the tree as the active molecule was concentrated in the bark. Fortunately, ‘taxol’ can now be partially synthesised from more readily available taxanes found in the renewable needles of the more common T. baccata

Other names for European yew

Common yew, Irish yew

Taxus baccata L.

Footnotes


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